Jungle Roman’s shaman shock
He flees chant sesh for ill dad Martin
It has been an incredible week for actor who received an Oscar nomination for her role in the new biopic of the great slave-turnedemancipator Harriet Tubman.
The Londoner, 33, shot to fame in the US, but it was
60, who gave her her first break in The X Factor musical, which opened then quickly closed in London’s West End.
And he tells me how impressed he is of Cynthia’s success, saying: “I could not be more proud of what Cynthia has achieved – she so deserves this.”
Couldn’t agree more...
When there is a lot of change happening in your life, things can feel overwhelming as you step into the unknown.
Martin Kemp has revealed how wife Shirlie came to terms with a major health battle he faced by turning to self-help books, witch doctors and shamanism …but it all got a bit much for their son, Roman.
Martin, 58, was struck down with two brain tumours in the 90s, but made a full recovery.
He says their I’m A Celeb star son, 26, once came home to find a group of shamans chanting in their front room.
“When I came out of hospital I could feel the chaos that it had caused,” says Martin.
“Shirlie was looking for everything – there were shamans and witch doctors, everything.
“Roman came home from school to find five shamans in orange robes in the living room making noises on these bowls.
“He walked in and thought, ‘Oh no, not again, and walked out’.”
Shirlie, 57, adds: “There were towers of self-help books. I needed that then. It was good for me.”
Shamans are regarded as having access to the spirit world, and can enter into a trance during a ritual, as well as practising divination and healing.
Wham! backing singer Shirlie also says she is dealing with the death of George Michael’s sister Melanie “really well” and trying to be positive.
Melanie died on Christmas Day aged 55 – three years to the day that George died aged 53.
She says: “You can’t become a victim of anything that is dreadful in your life. You have to turn it round and have gratitude and look at what is left.
“For me, the song Last Christmas – I am proud that I was part of it and I know that it will be a song that will be around when we are all gone. It puts a smile on my face. George’s legacy lives on through his music.” ■■Martin and Shirlie perform songs from their new album, In The Swing of It, at Big Band Broadway’s Royal Festival
Hall show on Saturday,
January 25